Mobile-commerce, youth feed China's outbound tourism

Thanks to decades of increasing prosperity, along with the recent easing of visa restrictions, Chinese travelers are making more and more overseas trips. Despite recent adverse economic slowdown, mainland Chinese households do not seem to be trimming their budget for outbound travel. Chinese travelers spent US$205.7 billion, or RMB 1.3 trillion, on outbound trips in 2015, according to China Unbounded: The Rapid Rise of China's Outbound Millions.

The report is a first-of-its-kind look at Chinese travelers' shopping habits and travel preferences, based on a recent Phocuswright survey of more than 3,000 who took outbound trips in 2015. As they explore further from home, mobile has quickly become the platform of choice, thanks to the country's well-developed travel m-commerce marketplace and to the influence of young, tech-savvy consumers.

Young travelers already wield huge influence in China outbound trends. As their wealth and travel experience grow, they will accelerate shifts toward mobile adoption, "alternative" payments and independent travel over escorted group tours.